Turkish military denies civilian casualties in armed drone operation

The Turkish military has denied allegations that armed drones used during operations against outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in the country's southeast killed civilians on Aug. 31.

The issue had been hotly debated last week when main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu voiced his concerns over claims that an armed drone in the southeastern province of Hakkari shot four civilians, leaving one dead.

The General Staff said in a statement on Sept. 12 that the military has not engaged in an action that would harm "any civilian and innocent citizens" up to this date.

"All kinds of caution and sensitivity is shown during the planning and execution of operations not to harm a single innocent citizen, civilian and the environment, particularly in compatible with our glorious history and high values," the statement read. 

It stated that the armed drone operation in the rural area of Oğulköy in Hakkari on Aug. 31 also followed the same basis and procedures.

An Ankara prosecutor filed an indictment against Tanrıkulu on Sept. 8 over his remarks.